A Defining Moment

    When I was a kid I was a professional wrestling fan. Every Saturday I would watch Jim Crockett Promotions and wrestlers like Dusty Rhodes, the Rock and Roll Express, The Four Horsemen, the Russians, the Midnight Express, and beginning in 1987, Barry Windham, my all-time favorite wrestler. He was the big blonde Adonis with movie star looks, natural athletic ability, grit, and heart. At that time, he was a good guy, also known in wrestling vernacular as a babyface. He fought alongside and for the underdog, backed up the other babyfaces in their feuds, and took on the top bad guy, or heel, in the promotion, Ric Flair, wrestling him to a time limit draw in a 60 minute match on Saturday TV. I was a devoted Barry Windham fan.

    Then in April 1988, Barry Windham broke my heart. He turned on his partner in a tag team match, giving their tag team titles to the Four Horsemen and becoming one of the villainous Horsemen himself. I couldn't believe it. Like many fans I wondered why he would do it when he'd been so close to catching and beating the promotion's top guy. Dusty Rhodes also wondered why and for that summer he was me and every other Barry Windham fan. Dusty confronted BW and the pain in his voice echoes in my heart to this day. 

    Barry Windham continued in the world of pro wrestling for several years. He finally got the World Title that he'd been chasing back in '87. He became World Tag Champions with his brother. And in 2012 he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

    Barry Windham is on my mind a lot this week because he suffered a massive cardiac event last weekend and almost died. As of yesterday he was recovering and I hope he has a full recovery.  He's still my all-time favorite wrestler and will always be so. To feel that 1988 heartbreak today, 34 years later tells me just how great a performer he is. Who else could have that effect on someone for over three decades? 

    Barry Windham has no medical insurance and will need some help with his medical bills. The least I can do to thank him for everything he gave to us fans all these years is to donate to help and I did. During this holiday season, if you find yourself with a few extra dollars, maybe you can consider donating to help this phenomenal icon with his medical expenses. https://www.gofundme.com/f/wwe-hall-of-famer-barry-windham-in-icu